Dear Reader,
As spring approaches, our region continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the most active and ambitious space ecosystems in the country. February has brought major developments across industry, academia, and international collaboration... and we are delighted to share some of these highlights with you!
This month marks an exciting milestone as Space South Central relocates to Airbus in Portsmouth, deepening our roots within a globally significant centre of satellite innovation and opening new opportunities for partnerships across defence, security, and next-generation space technologies. Our universities and innovators have also made headlines, from UCL's victory at the UK Act in Space finals in Surrey to the regional partnership designing a climate-focused EO mission concept with SARsatX and the Saudi Space Agency - a powerful reminder of the South Central region's global reach.
We are also gearing up for a major presence at Space-Comm Europe 2026, where 10 of our cluster SMEs will join us on the cluster pavilion. With the launch of new UK Space Agency initiatives, including the Skills for Space internship programme, and upcoming engagement sessions on national space infrastructure, there are more opportunities than ever for organisations across our ecosystem to participate, grow, and influence national strategy.
As always, you'll find updates on funding calls, skills programmes, business support, and events across the region, including our EXTRAOrdinary Orbit South Central, focused on space defence, security, and resilience next month.
Thank you for being part of the UK's most collaborative regional space community. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and we hope you enjoy this month's round-up!
Ebony Desposito
Digital Marketing Officer
|
|
Space South Central relocates to Airbus, Portsmouth
|
|
|
Space South Central has moved its base to the Airbus site in Portsmouth, cementing its position at the heart of one of the UK’s most historic and advanced space hubs. Co‑locating with Airbus connects the cluster directly into a site with 70 years of satellite and electronics innovation, while strengthening its mission to bring together more than 200 organisations and four universities across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. From this new home, the cluster will continue to drive growth, tackle critical software, data and AI skills gaps, and support UK defence, security and resilience priorities through stronger collaboration between SMEs, primes, academia and government.
|
|
|
UCL Team Wins UK Heat of Act In Space 2026 as Surrey Hosts Global Innovation Challenge for the First Time
|
|
|
The region hosted the UK heat of the global Act In Space 2026 hackathon, bringing around 75 students, researchers and industry mentors together at Surrey Research Park to tackle real‑world space challenges over 24 hours.
UCL’s Team IRONSTAR won the UK round with an innovative space‑debris insurance concept and will go on to represent the UK at the global finals in Bordeaux this April, competing for a zero‑gravity flight and access to ESA incubation support.
The event, co‑organised by the University of Surrey, UCL and Space South Central with backing from ESA, CNES and multiple industry partners, served as a powerful launchpad for the UK’s next generation of space entrepreneurs.
|
|
Regional universities and SARsatX developing Earth observation mission concept with Saudi Space Agency support
|
|
The University of Portsmouth is leading a new international partnership with Saudi space‑tech company SARsatX to design an Earth observation satellite mission concept focused on climate risk and environmental resilience.
Backed by the UK Government’s Gulf Strategy Fund and supported by the Saudi Space Agency, the project brings together researchers and engineers from both countries to co‑develop a climate‑focused constellation concept using a concurrent design approach.
Space South Central’s academic partners, including the Universities of Surrey and UCL, alongside leading UK SMEs and primes are contributing expertise, with joint workshops, reciprocal visits and a long‑term roadmap planned to drive future research, knowledge exchange and training opportunities for the wider regional ecosystem.
|
|
Ordnance Survey Targets Hard‑to‑Heat Homes with Location Data
|
|
Ordnance Survey has created a new “heat index” for more than 23 million homes across Great Britain, using detailed OS National Geographic Database building attributes such as age, construction material and roof type. This location‑based analysis highlights where properties are hardest to heat and most at risk of heat loss, giving local authorities, utilities and policymakers an evidence base for targeting retrofit investment, insulation upgrades and low‑carbon heat networks.
The work directly supports the UK government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan and shows how high‑quality geospatial data can help cut fuel poverty, reduce bills and accelerate delivery of energy‑efficient housing.
|
|
NATO Backs UK Thermal Intelligence Scale‑Up, SatVu
|
|
SatVu, the UK‑based thermal intelligence company, has closed a £30 million funding round led by the NATO Innovation Fund, taking its total equity funding to £60 million as it moves from single‑satellite demo to a multi‑satellite constellation.
The investment, backed by the NATO Innovation Fund, British Business Bank and other institutional investors, will fund launches of HotSat‑2 and HotSat‑3 in 2026 and accelerate build‑out of further satellites to deliver persistent, high‑resolution thermal monitoring from space. This UK‑built sovereign capability will provide governments and allied customers with previously unavailable insights on activity, readiness and infrastructure performance, strengthening defence, security and economic resilience while showcasing how an SME can scale cutting‑edge Earth observation technology into an operational constellation.
|
|
|
Space‑Comm is fast approaching, and Space South Central will once again have a strong presence at the UK’s largest dedicated space industry event, which brings together more than 5,400 delegates, 250 exhibitors and 200 speakers from over 50 countries.
We’ll be hosting our pavilion at H30 with 10 innovative SMEs from across the cluster, giving founders and teams a platform to connect with primes, investors and international partners.
During the show, we’re also supporting the UK Space Agency’s SME Showcase at Space‑Comm, designed to spotlight high‑growth early‑stage companies and help them plug into national programmes and supply chains. And closer to home, the new Southampton Space Institute is launching at Space-Comm, strengthening our region’s research and skills base and creating fresh opportunities for collaboration between SMEs, academics, and major industry players.
Haven’t booked your ticket yet? Use code CLUSTER25 at checkout for 25% off.
Companies on the pavilion (H30) are:
- Hnosi Space
- Jaltek
- European Engineering and Consultancy Limited
- Satraka Ltd
- R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd
- Circuits Integrated UK
- Surrey Nanosystems Ltd
- Stars Edge Ltd
- MDA Space
- CCww
|
|
ESA Proposal Advice Service
|
|
The ESA Proposal Advice Service (ESA PAS) is a UK Space Agency-funded pilot programme designed to help UK-based organisations improve the quality of their proposals submitted to the European Space Agency (ESA). The service provides free, non-technical advice to organisations who are preparing ESA bids and want to strengthen their applications before submission.
ESA PAS focuses on improving the clarity, structure, and strategic alignment of proposals by identifying common errors and areas for improvement. The aim is to increase the competitiveness of UK bids without providing engineering or technical solutions. Feedback is tailored to the five evaluation criteria used by ESA: background and expertise, understanding of requirements and objectives, quality of the proposed programme of work, adequacy of management, costing and planning, and compliance with administrative tender conditions.
|
|
Skills for Space - UKSA Launches Paid Internships
|
|
The UK Space Agency has launched Skills for Space, a new internship programme offering 50 paid eight‑week placements across the UK space sector in summer 2026, aimed at undergraduates and Further Education students.
The scheme responds to significant skills shortages—80% of organisations report recruitment difficulties—and will give participants hands‑on project experience in areas such as engineering, software, data science and business skills. Applications are now open, with placements to be announced in May, offering Space South Central students a practical launchpad into one of the UK’s fastest‑growing industries.
|
|
Shape Future Space Infrastructure
|
|
The UK Space Agency is hosting an interactive Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) workshop at Space‑Comm, inviting organisations from across the ecosystem to help shape the next wave of infrastructure investment.
SCIF has already committed almost £50 million to space facilities across the UK, and this session, hosted by Exotopic at ExCeL London, will include a short programme overview followed by an open discussion on how future calls can maximise impact. It’s a valuable chance for South Central SMEs to highlight real‑world gaps in labs, test facilities, and data infrastructure, and to feed directly into the design of future SCIF funding opportunities.
|
|
|
Last month, I stated that I was excited by the reemergence of the non-competitive calls for proposals, with the Thematic Call For Proposals: Responsible Fishing. I am pleased to say we have another opening in early March: Thematic call for Proposals: Wildfires
Opening date: 02-03-2026 Closing date: 02-06-2026
Open for Proof of Concept and Pilot Studies, this initiative invites proposals for innovative services that advance wildfire management using space technology and data.
Topics of interest include:
· Early detection of wildfires
· Near-real-time fire evolution monitoring
· Fire behaviour simulation and prediction
· Situational awareness for emergency responders
Later in the year, ESA Space Solutions will have another funding call focusing on Wildfire Preparedness, and solutions advancing wildfire risk assessments, fuel load management, and applicability of preventative measures and environmental adaptations.
I am pleased to say we have some great examples of ESA Space Solutions funded projects that address wildfires, with a brilliant example in Wildfire Alarm a Demonstration Project from Optect .
The project tackles a major challenge in wildfire-prone regions: how to reliably detect fires in remote, obstructed, or rugged landscapes where communications infrastructure is limited. The system uses Lacuna and Skylo satellite networks to ensure continuous connectivity for wildfire detection and alerting, even in remote areas where terrestrial networks fail.
I am always keen to speak to anyone who ESA Space Solutions might be an avenue for commercialising your space-enabled ideas. In March I will be at number of events if anyone wants to chat in person:
· Space-Comm Europe, London
· Oceanology International, London
· UKSA’s ESA 101, Bristol
· Enabling Trust in Autonomous, Space-Enabled, Marine Systems. Grimsby
· Resilient Wales Forum, Llandudno
I am equally happy to arrange a call a convenient time.
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin - Grant Day
|
|
|
Ofwat Water Discovery Challenge 2
Deadline: 8th April, 2026
A £7.5 million fund supporting bold early‑stage innovations to help the water sector improve outcomes for customers, communities and the environment. Innovators from sectors such as energy, construction, agriculture, aerospace and tech/AI are encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the challenges facing water companies in England and Wales.
Read more here.
—
Business British Bank Start-up Loans
Deadline: Open until further notice
Access government‑backed personal loans for people starting a business or trading for less than three years. You can borrow £500–£25,000, repayable over 1–5 years at a fixed 6% interest rate, with no need for collateral.
Applicants receive support from a dedicated business adviser, plus 12 months of free mentoring if successful. Partners can each apply individually, up to a £100,000 cap per business.
Read more here.
—
UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund
Deadline: Open until further notice
An £8m fund offering £100k–£500k investments to pre‑seed and seed‑stage space businesses. As a publicly funded, privately managed VC fund, UKI2S helps start‑ups bridge early‑stage finance gaps and scale in a competitive market. Alongside investment, companies receive expert mentoring and strategic support.
Read more here.
—
Robotics Adoption Central Convening Body
Deadline: 15th April, 2026
UK-registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2 million for creating a central convening body to coordinate the robotics adoption hubs. Funding is from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Read more here.
—
Pre-announcement: UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept
Deadline: 13th May, 2026
Apply for funding to develop new products, processes or services through venture creation, licensing or other commercialisation routes. Open to all disciplines (but not curiosity‑driven research), applicants must be based at a UKRI‑eligible research organisation.
Projects can request up to £250,000 (FEC) for up to 9 months, with UKRI funding 80% of the FEC. A wide range of project sizes and areas will be supported.
Read more here.
—
|
|
EXTRAOrdinary Orbit South Central: March 2026
|
|
|
Join us for a special EXTRAordinary Orbit South Central, focused on space defence, security and resilience, with speakers from PNT Assured and Lumino Technologies.
Immediately afterwards, IDEALondon will host the Space Security Roadshow, delivered by Space West and the UK Space Agency’s Security & Resilience Team. This workshop explores sector vulnerabilities, resilience challenges, and practical mitigation advice for UK space organisations.
We look forward to seeing you very soon.
Sign up here.
|
|
Military Space Situational Awareness Conference
|
|
|
Secure your place at the 21st annual Military Space Situational Awareness Conference (5th-7th May 2026), Europe’s leading event on space domain awareness. Join 250+ professionals, 40+ expert speakers, and representatives from 20+ nations for three days of insight, collaboration and cutting‑edge discussion.
New for 2026: a dedicated Space Control, Threats & Hazards Focus Day, bringing together military leaders, specialists and industry innovators to explore challenges in a rapidly contested domain.
Find out more here.
|
|
Farnborough International Airshow - 2026
|
|
|
Held biennially at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Hampshire, England, this premier event offers unparalleled opportunities to forge new connections, engage with thought leaders, and be part of transformative change in aerospace, aviation, space, and defence sectors.
Taking place 20-24 July 2026, Farnborough International Airshow 2026 will host leading innovators from the aerospace, space, aviation and defence industries and beyond, to showcase the latest innovations.
Find out more here.
|
|
|
Want to become a member of the Space South Central regional space cluster?
Join our growing community of innovators, investors, researchers and space‑enabled businesses. As a member, you’ll gain access to dedicated support, curated opportunities, and a powerful regional network.
Get involved and help shape the future of the South Central space economy.
|
|
|
The UK space sector is a vibrant ecosystem comprising diverse stakeholder communities, renowned for numerous innovative and globally recognised projects and programmes. However, the sector has traditionally lacked a cohesive systems approach to unite these varied forces and foster collaboration towards a shared vision for the future.
The Space Enterprise Community (SEC) platform has been designed to help address this challenge and support the UK Space Ecosystem to connect and thrive, offering users a selection of tools, resources and groups that connect stakeholders from different communities to enable collaboration while providing support and real-time updates on the latest news, events and opportunities.
|
|
As part of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s national network of 15 Space Enterprise Labs across the UK, facilities in Guildford (Surrey Research Park) and London (IDEALondon) provide a critical platform for businesses and researchers to accelerate space innovation.
As physical anchors for the UK Space Ecosystem and complementing the Space Enterprise Community platform, the Space Enterprise Labs (SELs) bring communities together, both locally and nationally.
They include free access to resources, virtual demonstrations and expertise, as well as technology including:
- Large interactive touch screens and virtual canvas with full connectivity capabilities, enabling seamless delivery of meetings, business support sessions, capability demonstrations, and opportunity development workshops.
- Video conferencing licenses and professional webcams to run high-quality webinars and engage the community.
- Virtual Reality Headsets for demonstrations of space capability (1-on-1 or at events) such as the bespoke Virtual Reality Satellite 101 demonstration featuring the launch, deployment, and operation of a satellite.
|
|
|
|
|
